Dodgers’ offense comes up short in loss to Rangers
THE GAME: The Dodgers were held to six hits in a 3-1 loss to the Texas Rangers on Thursday night at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
PITCHING REPORT: Clayton Kershaw has given up two home runs in each of his two Cactus League starts. Corey Seager and Nathaniel Lowe (both left-handed hitters) took him deep Thursday. Kershaw pitched into the fifth inning, retired a batter and then came out of the game. His 75 pitches are the most by a Dodger pitcher this spring. … The Seager-Kershaw matchup was the first for the two former teammates. Seager struck out in his first at-bat against Kershaw. “Seags got me,” Kershaw said of the homer. “A home run – I’ve got to strike him out like eight times now for it to be even.” … Jimmy Nelson walked four of the five batters he faced in the sixth inning, forcing in a run. Alex Vesia replaced him with one out and the bases loaded and ended the threat with a strikeout and a ground out. … Evan Phillips struck out the side in the ninth inning.
HITTING REPORT: Half of the Dodgers’ hits were doubles – one each by Miguel Vargas, Bradley Zimmer and Max Muncy. Hunter Feduccia had a triple. J.D. Martinez and David Freitas had the Dodgers’ only other hits, both singles.
‘B’ GAME REPORT: Both Noah Syndergaard and Andre Jackson pitched in minor-league games on the White Sox side of Camelback Ranch on Thursday. Syndergaard pitched five innings and threw approximately 60 pitches and was “efficient in the (strike) zone,” according to Manager Dave Roberts. Roberts also said Syndergaard’s fastball velocity was between 93 and 95 mph. Jackson pitched four innings in a different “B” game.
UP NEXT: Dodgers (RHP Ryan Pepiot) vs. Cubs split squad (RHP Hayden Wesneski) at Sloan Park, Friday, 1:05 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM